Las Vegas

January 16, 2008

Las Vegas, Nevada is one of the most exciting vacation destinations on the planet. Whether you looking for a fun filled vacation, or just a place to pit stop when driving to Disneyland or San Diego. The city is full of hip night clubs, posh hotels, and enormous casinos, but with so many things to do many people don’t know where to start. These ten tips are a brief overview of what you should do during your visit to Las Vegas:

1. Win Big! – Join the millions of visitors every year that come to Las Vegas for its most popular pastime: gaming. The Las Vegas strip alone has over 2.6 million square feet of gambling space and over 40,000 gaming machines! Some popular casinos include Caesars Palace and New York- New York for the fun atmosphere and unique themes. Visit the Orleans off the strip for of its lower-limit table games, and the Bellagio and Monte Carlo for more extravagant gaming.

2. Explore the Strip – The best way for a Vegas first-timer to experience Las Vegas is to hit “The Strip,” the most famous resort area of Las Vegas Blvd. Walking from one end to the other is the least expensive and most adventurous way, but you’ll need good walking shoes. To save on time and avoid tired legs, you can ride the Deuce, Las Vegas’s version of the double-decker bus, or the Las Vegas Monorail. These transportation options travel the entire length of the strip.

3. Desert Rose Resort – Stay at the beautiful Desert Rose Resort! The Desert Rose Resort is a unique all-suite, non gaming property located just steps away from the famous "strip". The hotel is within walking distance to the Tropicana, MGM Grand, and Luxor Hotels. Each of the Spacious Suites offer a separate bedroom and living room with fully equipped kitchen including refrigerator, range, microwave and coffee maker. Their suite's also include a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, data ports, wireless services, voicemail and private patio or balcony. It is the perfect place to stay when traveling with the whole family!

4. Catch a Show – Ever since its beginnings, Las Vegas has been known for spectacular shows. Producers spend millions every year bringing the best of the best to Las Vegas. If you are a Broadway connoisseur, check out the hilarious Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Wynn, or the famed Mamma Mia! at Mandalay Bay. If you enjoy enormous extravaganzas, attend one of the breathtaking Cirque du Soleil productions or see a Blue Man Group concert. Whatever your pleasure, be sure to check one of the same-day ticket booths for half-price admission to some of the hottest shows on the Strip! To view all of the productions in Las Vegas, visit Vegas.com/Shows.

5. Enjoy World Class Dining – Las Vegas is quite possibly the dining capital of the Western United States. Vegas is known for everything from all-you-can-eat buffets to five star restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for a German bratwurst or fresh sushi, Las Vegas has a restaurant for you. Some must-trys include the romantic Picasso at the Bellagio, the famous Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris, and Wolfgang Puck’s star-studded Spago at Caesars Palace.

6. Go Shopping – Las Vegas is one of the greatest cities in the world to shop! Shopping malls here are almost as prominent as casinos. In fact, most of the major resort/casinos have stores built right in! Some of the more famous of these shopping experiences include The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, The Grande Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, and the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood. These malls tend to have high-end stores that cater to more expensive tastes, but if you’re looking for a bargain, be sure to hit the Las Vegas Premium Outlets north of the Strip.

7. Find Big Thrills! – One of the most famous roller coasters in the world is the Manhattan Express which weaves in and out of skyscrapers atop New York-New York. Not big enough for you? Try the Desperado in Primm, Nevada, just 40 minutes south of the Strip. This wild ride is a former world record-holder for the tallest coaster! If that’s too far, there are more adrenaline pumping rides on the top of the Stratosphere, at the Sahara, and in the Adventuredome Theme Park at the Circus Circus.

8. Relax – The mega-resorts of the Las Vegas strip contain over 75,000 hotel rooms to get your much needed sleep, and have some of the world’s most famous spas. After a day of walking, gaming, and playing, nothing beats unwinding with a Swedish massage or a full-body wrap. If spas aren’t your thing, try golfing! Guests at the Wynn Resort can utilize the Wynn Golf Club, the resort’s very own exclusive 18-hole, par 70 golf course!

9. See the Sights – Las Vegas Blvd. is home to some of the most interesting sights in the United States! Where else can you find a miniature city (the New York-New York Hotel & Casino), an Egyptian Pyramid (the Luxor Las Vegas), and an active volcano (the Mirage Hotel & Casino) on a four mile stretch of road? The beautiful dancing fountains and spectacular Botanical Gardens and Conservatory at Bellagio are a must-see. If you want a bird’s-eye view of the city, head to the top of the Stratosphere tower at the north end of the Strip which offers a view that simply can’t be beat!

10. Experience Fremont Street – The Las Vegas of old is still alive and kicking on Fremont Street! The classic casinos that line this street include the famous Golden Nugget, Binion’s, and Four Queens. It may be historic, but The Fremont Street Experience is also home to Vista Vision – the world’s largest big-screen! Each night, Fremont Street turns into a dazzling music-and-light experience for the whole family!

Las Vegas truly is “America’s playground.” With so much to see and do, you’ll want to make sure you allow yourself plenty of time. There are innumerable ways to be entertained while on vacation in Vegas. With these “Top Ten Things to Do,” you can spend less time planning, and more time playing, just give our friendly reservation agents a call at (866) FUN-TRIP, or our website getawaytoday.com to check availability and to book your fun-filled vacation.